Alameda Health System to Begin $200M Epic Implementation Project

January 26, 2018 – The Alameda Health System (AHS) Board of Trustees recently approved a $200 million Epic implementation project to improve care coordination for the 1,100 physicians part of the health system.

The fully-integrated Epic EHR system will enable physicians at the Oakland-based health system to provide more accurate and timely patient care across all AHS facilities. Providers will have improved access to comprehensive patient EHRs for better-informed clinical decision-making, reduced medical errors, and improved clinical efficiency.

“Approval of the project, one of the most significant investments made by Alameda Health System, illustrates the Board’s commitment to promoting high-quality access to affordable care for all communities in Alameda County,” said Alameda Health System CEO Delvecchio Finley in an emailed press release.

“As patients gain greater access to their medical records, health information and more convenient service through this system, they will be empowered to manage their own care, ultimately becoming champions of their health and wellness,” Finley continued.

The new Epic EHR system allows clinicians and other medical staff to access patient health data in real time. Additionally, clinicians will benefit from increased visibility into lab results to avoid duplicate testing to cut unnecessary hospital costs.

“This is a major milestone for Alameda Health System,” said AHS Board of Trustees President Michele Lawrence. “We unanimously approved this project because it will tremendously help AHS address health disparities and ensure that all patients, regardless of their income, will receive quality care that is second to none.”

AHS is a public healthcare provider and medical training institution specializing in family-centered care. The health system includes over 1,100 physicians across nine facilities, including five hospitals. AHS also operates a network of community-based wellness centers.

“Seamlessly sharing informatoin will increase collaboration among providers and improve the quality and safety of care as well as the patient experience,” said AHS CMO Ghassan Jamaleddine.

“Providing the medical staff with the best tool to document and access health care information, including diagnosis by other providers, lab results, prescriptions and digitally stored X-rays will ensure greater health outcomes and reduce costs,” he concluded.